Tasmania East-West Biking

A unique fauna

The diversity of the island's landscape

Tasmania is a land of dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, tall forests and sparkling highland lakes. Over a third of the state is reserved in a network of National Parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a refuge and habitat for rare plants and animals, including survivors of the ancient southern super continent, Gondwana.

Cycling on Tasmania's east coast is one of Australia's truly spectacular coastal journeys. On this extraordinary cycle tour, you'll coast along peninsulas with pristine white beaches, pass quaint colonial villages and challenge your perspective.

Completely different from the rugged mountainous west coast, the east is blessed with a calmer, mild climate with ever-changing terrain and scenery. This East Coast cycling tour takes you through a temperate natural paradise nearly 300 km from north to south.

The west coast is rugged, mountainous and completely wild, with a temperamental climate and unpredictable weather patterns, throwing down a challenge to those that wish to explore it. Well worth the effort, this constantly changing terrain is a mixture of challenging and frequent hill climbs combined with breathtaking winding downhills and stunning views.

Photographers rave about it - a certain quality of the light in Tasmania. Craggy mountains loom closer, seas carve out a deeper coastline drama along wild beaches, blue sky has a wider reach.

The island has the cleanest air in the world, so nature's palette shows through without the contamination of urban pollution. And for color, nothing beats Tasmania and it's four distinct seasons.

ITINERARY:

(subject to change without prior notice)

Day 1: Launceston

Arrive in Launceston at your own arrangements. Airport transfers are available between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. Meet in the lobby at 3:00 pm for a tour briefing, introductions and bike preparation for approximately 1 hour.
Spend the day in Launceston today. Launceston Gorge, with its Victorian parklands, complete with peacocks, has steep, rugged cliffs and wild areas that attract climbers. It is within easy walking distance of the city centre.
The city is compact and its pretty, colourful Victorian and Edwardian homes line the hillsides along the river banks. The city has one of the best regional galleries in Australia - the Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk, along with art and craft galleries and quality restaurants.
Overnight: Launceston (Motel)

Day 2: Launceston - St. Helens

The group departs from the hotel early in the morning. Cycle for 15 km through to Whitehills, through farming land and a newly developed wine region, then head to the historic town of Evandale for a morning coffee and break. Many of Evandale's buildings have remained in original condition. It is famous for a popular Sunday market, and as host to the annual World Penny Farthing bicycle Championships.
From Evandale, continue south along a quiet backroad to Nile and then to Conara. The van will take you to St. Helens where you will be accomodated tonight. Later in the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Bay of Fires Conservation Area, and enjoy some time on the beach.
Cycling distance: 60 km
Overnight: St. Helens (Tidal Waters Resort)

Day 3: St Helens - Bicheno

Ride from St. Helens along the coast to Bicheno. Or take a transfer to St. Mary's, and enjoy a spectacular downhill ride along the Elephant Pass to the coast.
Keep south along the coast to the fishing village of Bicheno. This is the flattest riding of the entire trip, with views over the Tasman Sea most of the day as you bike along the beautiful coastline dotted with white sandy beaches.
Cycling distance: 60-75 km
Overnight: Bicheno (Diamond Island Resort)

Wineglass Bay

Day 4: Bicheno - Coles Bay - Freycinet NP - Swansea

An easy 40 km ride to Coles Bay from Bicheno along the Freycinet Peninsula road. The group meets again in Coles Bay, where you can enjoy a group walk
to famous Wineglass Bay, voted by several travel authorities as one of the world's ten best beaches.
Freycinet National Park is one of Tasmania's oldest national parks, founded in 1916. It features fascinating red and pink granite formations, and "The Hazards", a line of jagged granite peaks in a line. Spend the afternoon in the park, before you are transferred to your motel in Swansea.
Cycling distance: approx. 40 km
Overnight: Swansea (Motel)

Day 5: Swansea - Richmond

From Swansea, on the northwest shore of Great Oyster Bay and overlooking Freycinet National Park, you will cycle 60 km south along the coastline to another coastal town, Triabunna. Regroup here to be transferred to Richmond, a well-preserved tourist town, with many of its sandstone houses still standing. The Richmond bridge, erected in 1823, is Australia's oldest bridge still in use.
Cycling distance: approx. 60km
Overnight: Richmond (motel)

Day 6: Richmond - Hobart

Cycle from Richmond over Grass Tree Hill to Risdon Cove - the original first settlement of Hobart. Continue over the Bowen Bridge, and along the inner city cycleway to the city centre of Hobart. Regroup at the Cenotaph, and then celebrate with a drink at Salamanca Place.
Optionally, you will be transferred up to the top of Mt. Wellington (1,270 m),  overlooking Tasmania's entire southern part. Cycle back down for 21 km on an easy ride to sealevel.
Cycling distance: approx. 30 km (plus optional 21 km down Mt. Wellington)
Overnight: Hobart (Motel)

Day 7: Hobart

Today is a day at your own disposal. The state capital and most populous city of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony, it is Australia's second oldest and eleventh largest city, with a metropolitan population of approximately 202,000.
Hobart has a thriving festival scene and a real sense of history. It is unsurpassed for walking, eating and just soaking in its stress-free atmosphere.
Visit Salamanca Place on the waterfront of Hobart, lined with 19th century waterfront warehouses housing cafes, restaurants and studios, and bustling with shoppers and visitors.
Overnight: Hobart (Motel)

Day 8: Hobart - Hamilton

Meet the rest of the group at the Cenotaph before leaving the town via the  innercity cycleway through to New Norfolk. Continue cycling north through Bushy Park to reach Hamilton in the evening.
The appeal of Hamilton, which is a truly charming and unspoilt village, is based on outstanding range of historic sandstone buildings. It also has an excellent fishing area at Lake Meadowbank. A side trip to one of Tasmania's most popular parks,  Mt. Field National Park, and the beautiful Russell Falls is available this afternoon.
Cycling distance: approx. 80 km
Overnight: Hamilton (Cottages)

Day 9: Hamilton - Tarraleah

Today's tour takes you along the main road north from Hamilton to the hydro town of Tarraleah, with Ouse being the only town along the way. The road heads gradually uphill as you ride through the Central Highlands district. Further inland, the landscape becomes increasingly wild as the road crosses the river where power stations use the energy of falling water. Here, in the lake country, a myriad of lakes teeming with trout are spread across the plateau. The scenery is peaceful and quiet with the only sounds that of your breathing and your tyres on the road.
Cycling distance: up to 60 km
Overnight: Tarraleah (cottages)

Day 10: Tarraleah - Strahan

The tour starts this morning with a quite hilly beginning, heading west along the same winding highway as yesterday. Optionally, you can take the van to be  transferred to Derwent Bridge where you begin cycling along the flat plateau from the beginning. Enjoy a thrilling downhill from Mt. Arrowsmith to afterwards cross man-made Lake Burbury. Continue around the lake to the old mining towns of Linda and Gormanston. Your last ascent for today takes you to the top of the hill  overlooking Queenstown. After a 6 km downhill ride with 99 bends, you find yourself amidst the tree-less hills of Queenstown. Regroup, and take a 43 km, hilly transfer to the coastal town of Strahan.
Optionally, you can take the day off and board the scenic railway from Queenstown to Strahan. Your tour guide can give you transfers to Queenstown departing from the hotel at 8:30 am forthe 10:00 am train departure, arriving Strahan at 2:45 pm to meet the group. Additional
cost: 99 AUD (valid to June 08). Advance bookings essential.
Cycling distance: up to 85 km
Overnight: Strahan (Motel)

Lush forests

Day 11: Strahan - Cradle Mountain

After breakfast, bike north towards Zeehan. We recommend riding into Zeehan for a rest stop and look at this historic town, at one stage Tasmania's fourth largest, before heading south along the highway towards Queenstown.
The backroad alongside Lake Plimsoll takes you up and over Mt. Murchison,
finishing with a fun downhill all the way to rejoin the highway. Then, a short ride takes you to Tullah. After reaching the village centre, turn left to meet the rest of the group.
You are transferred to Cradle Mountain where you can spend some time this afternoon exploring its trails. Cradle Mountain / Lake St. Clair National Park is surrounded by stands of native deciduous beech (wonderfully colourful
in autumn), rainforest, alpine heathlands and buttongrass. Icy streams cascade down the mountainsides, and ancient pines are reflected in the still glacial lakes. There are plenty of walk options from 10 minutes to several hours, all offering fantastic rainforest and mountain scenes.
Cycling distance: approx. 80 km (transfers from Tullah)
Overnight: Cradle Mountain (Cabins)

Day 12: Cradle Mountain to Launceston

Your final cycling day tour is relatively flat. Enjoy a comparatively easy day amidst fields of poppies, sheep and cows, and passing through several quiet rural towns leading into the city of Launceston.
Your day begins with a transfer from Cradle Mountain NP to Deloraine, a charming, historically interesting and attractive town located on the banks of the Meander River. From Deloraine, we follow the old highway through the towns of Exton, Hagley, Carrick and Hadspen. Regroup in Westbury, a lovely English town full of beautiful old buildings. The old highway takes us through to Prospect, and all the way to Launceston.
Cycling distance: approx. 80 km
Overnight: Launceston (Motel)

Day 13: Launceston and departure

Free day to explore Launceston, Tasmania's second largest city with a population of just over 80,000 people. Airport transfers available until 12:00 pm.